Dal Tadaka

Dal Tadaka:

Ingredients Needed:

For the  Dal:

1/2 cup arhar dal/tuvar dal/ split pigeon pea lentils + 1/2 cup masoor dal/split pink lentils or 1 cup arhar dal/ tuvar dal/ split pigeon pea lentils

1 or 2 green chilies, chopped or slit lengthwise

1 medium sized onion, chopped

1 medium sized tomato, chopped

1/2 inch ginger, finely chopped or grated, about 1/3 to 1/2 tsp of grated chopped ginger (optional)

1tsp turmeric powder/haldi

A pinch or two of garam masala powder

A pinch of asafoetida/hing

2.5 cups water for pressure cooking 

1 tsp kasuri methi/dry fenu-greek leaves, crushed

1 or 2 tbsp cream (optional)

1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves 

Slat as required

How To Make:

Pressure cook 3/4 cup of the arhar dal with a pinch of turmeric in 2 to 2.5 water.

Mash the dal lightly with a wired whisk or with a spoon and keep aside.

In another pan heat oil or ghee or unsalted butter. add the mustard and let them splutter.

When you hear the spluttering sound of the mustard seeds, add the cumin and fry them.

Add the onions and fry till they become transparent or light brown.

Now add the ginger-garlic paste and fry for some seconds till their raw aroma disappears.

Add the green chilies, red chilies, curry leaves and stir.

Add all the spice powders-turmeric powder, asafoetida powder. and fry for some seconds.

Add the tomatoes and cook till they soften and you see oil releasing from the sides.

Now add the mashed dal. stir well. add water + slat.

Stir and simmer the dal for 4-5 minutes more or till you get a smooth and slightly thick 
consistency.

Dal fry is not thin and is usually has a medium to thick consistency.

You can adjust the amount of water you want.

Keep the dal medium consistency if you prefer. making it thin will spoil the taste.

Lastly crush the kasuri methi on the palms of your hands and add them to the dal. then add 
garam masala powder. simmer for a minute. switch off the fire and add chopped coriander leaves. 
add lemon juice if you want, at this stage and stir well.

Now you can garnish the dal fry with some more coriander leaves while serivng.

While serving top the dal fry with some ghee or butter if required

Serve dal fry hot with steamed basmati rice, biryani rice, jeera rice or saffron pulao. Dal fry also goes well with rotis or naan